Execution of Minnie Deane

Waipawa Mail, Volume XVIII, Issue 3266, 13 August 1895, Page 3

Execution of Minnie Deane

(Per Press Association) Invercargill, Yesterday Minnie Deane was executed this morning. She slept from 11 30 till 3 this morning, took no breakfast, and only a sip from a glass of spirits given her by the gaol surgeon. At three minutes to 8 the sheriff demanded the body, and at two minutes past 8 Minnie Deao wasdead. “ Don’t let them keep mo in agony, doetor,” were her parting worjifc to the surgeon. She marched from the cells with be: arms pinioned behind, and up the steps of the scaffold on to the trap door. She was apparently the most sslfpossessed of the dismal procession. She stood hatlesa aad erect, facing the west, a blackboard marking the grave of Walsb, the Waikawa murderer, directly in front of her, while the hangman adjusted the rope and placed the white cap on her. Then her legs were pinioned, and for the first time the marvellous will power of the woman to a certain extent gave way. She swayed back and forward, holding firmly the warder’s hand. Id reply to a question of the sheriff, Do you wish-to say anything before you leave this world ?'' she said “ No, except that lam innocent.” After., her legs had been pinioned she said, ‘‘ Oh, God, let me not suffer.” The hangman then drew the lever and all was over, death bfeing instantaneous. The drop allowed wus-seven feet, nine inches, and the scaffold used was one built for tho execution of Captain Jarvey, of Dunedin, who poisoned his wife about a quarter of a century ago. To the Rev. Mr Lindsay she stated that as far as the evidence was concerned tho sentence was justified, bot ehe protested her innocence as regards the intention and forethought. The only persons present besides the gaol officers wGre the Sheriff, doctor, Magistrate, and tho Press reporters. The body has been claimed by the hus band, and will be buried in the Winton cemetery. It is understood Minnie Dean left a written statement, which will be forwarded to tho Government, placing a different aspect on the case from that inferred from the trial.

During the execution a boy fell from the roof of a building to the ground, a distance of 50 feet, fracturing hia skull.